Spinning Wheel

Object/Artifact

-

Windham Textile and History Museum

Spinning Wheel: The image shows an antique spinning wheel made of richly hued wood, with intricate details showcasing traditional craftsmanship. Its large, circular wheel is positioned vertically, featuring a number of turned wooden spokes radiating from the center. In the foreground, the wheel is connected to a wooden base that houses the spindle and foot pedal. The spinning wheel is situated on a polished, dark wooden floor that highlights its rustic and historical aesthetic. A small display card is affixed to the base, suggesting the piece is part of a museum or historical exhibit. The card has illegible text potentially detailing the wheel's history or provenance. The lighting in the room casts soft shadows, enhancing the wheel's intricate design and giving it a timeless quality.
Spinning Wheel

The image shows an antique spinning wheel made of richly hued wood, with intricate details showcasing traditional craftsmanship. Its large, circular wheel is positioned vertically, featuring a number of turned wooden spokes radiating from the center. In the foreground, the wheel is connected to a wooden base that houses the spindle and foot pedal. The spinning wheel is situated on a polished, dark wooden floor that highlights its rustic and historical aesthetic. A small display card is affixed to the base, suggesting the piece is part of a museum or historical exhibit. The card has illegible text potentially detailing the wheel's history or provenance. The lighting in the room casts soft shadows, enhancing the wheel's intricate design and giving it a timeless quality.

Name/Title

Spinning Wheel

Entry/Object ID

2017.01.12

Description

Spinning wheel; horizontal, bobbin/flyer, treadle. Slanted rectangular table rests on three splayed legs. The treadle fits into a pivoting bar between two legs. A flat, narrow footman connects the treadle to the drive wheel axle. Two slanted wheel posts fit through the table, secured by pins, wedged by nails. The drive wheel axle rests in slots in the wheel posts, secured by a pin in front post. The drive wheel has thirteen spokes [one not present]; the rim, with two grooves, is constructed in four sections. The mother-of-all, resting on a collar, fits through the table. The maidens are vertical fitting through the mother-of-all. The bobbin/flyer is complete and designed for a doubled drive-band. The tensioning screw passes through the table end. Turnings on spokes and legs. Chip carving end of table, burn-marks on legs, posts, maidens and mother-of-all.

Use

To spin fibers (especially flax) into thread or yarn.

Context

Preindustrial textile technology.

Collection

American Textile History Museum Collection

Made/Created

Artist

Reynolds, J.

Date made

circa 1820 - circa 1870

Time Period

19th Century

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Top of table

Transcription

J. Reynolds

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Wheel, Spinning

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Textile Manufacturing Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Textileworking T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

ATHM

Other Number

1980.16.83

Dimensions

Height

33 in

Depth

21-1/2 in

Length

34 in

Material

Wood, Ferrous metal

Location

Location

Exhibit Room

Thread Mill Square

* Untyped Location

Main Museum Building

Category

Exhibit

Date

April 4, 2025

Provenance

Provenance Detail

In 1980 the object was donated to the Merrimack Valley Textile Museum (later the American Textile History Museum) by Anne Flaten Pixley, along with a number of other textile-related items. In 2016 the ATHM closed, and in 2017 the ATHM donated the object to the Windham Textile and History Museum (the Mill Museum).

Created By

historian@millmuseum.org

Create Date

April 4, 2025

Updated By

historian@millmuseum.org

Update Date

April 4, 2025